Wednesday, October 28, 2009

My Mother-in-Law celebrated her 70th birthday last week, and I helped her by taking her to the Epcot Food and Wine Celebration. She has a “Gourmet Club” that meets once a month, so this would be right up her alley!!

We got in for free courtesy of our oldest daughter Sam’s friend who works at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This was a most unusual trip to Disney as we had no children accompanying us!! How weird is that?? We had a great time, but didn’t get to do even half of what we wanted to do!!

***WARNING: photo heavy!!!***

To start off with, this little fella is in a beautiful water setting at the Polynesian Resort, one of the original Disney hotels. Isn’t he irresistible??

Here is some of the rest of his home…so very lovely!!

And just look at this beauty!! The Polynesian has a beach and he seemed quite comfortable strutting around and having his photo taken!

My Mother-in-Law and daughter Sam on the boat to the Magic Kingdom

The Contemporary Hotel…another original hotel and the only one the monorail runs straight through!

The Grand Floridian which is where Hulk Hogan’s show “Thunder in Paradise” was filmed years ago. I LOVE the look of this hotel!!

It wouldn’t be a trip to Disney without Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, all dressed up for fall!!

Our destination was the food and wine event, but my MIL really wanted to go to It’s a Small World, and the Country Bear Jamboree…and since she was the birthday girl…WE DID JUST THAT!! The castle was on our way!

Here is the amazing Cinderella’s castle!! What a beautiful blue sky Florida day!! You can see why I love this state!!

Inside “It’s a Small World” . Disney’s attention to detail is simply unrivaled!! Sheer delight to take it all in!

More fall dressing, with a touch of Halloween.

These baskets of fruit look so real, but are faux!!

A carved pumpkin Mickey!

We found a wonderful glass artist in the crystal shop on Main Street. He was so cordial and did amazing work. Here he is working on a Christmas ornament.

After he was done with this ornament, he took a few minutes to show me his glass sculptures and the beads his wife makes. He was also very encouraging to me, and convinced me to get back to making beads myself!! What a blessing!!

Glass work is just so fascinating!!

I LOVE this sword display, also in the crystal shop.

A different angle on the swords. The craftsmanship in the handles is awesome!

We went to the Country Bear Jamboree, and then hopped on the monorail to go to Epcot.

We went on Spaceship Earth, the big sphere at Epcot and my MIL loved it! We then ate at The Land, and had a wonderful meal. Any veggies served there are straight from the greenhouse on the property. Nice and fresh!!

We were quickly running out of time and it was quite crowded, so we were only able to make a couple of stops.

We stopped at the Twinings tea shop. It is so cute!

This adorable fireplace and kettle are inside the tea store.

I purchased a couple of goodies in here for YOU, my bloggy friends! Nothing huge, but straight from the HOUSE OF MOUSE!! More on that at the end!! I couldn’t capture the real charm of this store, but at least you get to see a little glimpse.

Last stop and at the end of a long line is the bakery in France. Epcot is divided into countries and England and France were all we made it to! Hubby had given us an assignment to bring home 2 Napoleans from this bakery; another charming store!

First up in the case is what I would buy for me!! Cheesy croissants, tarts, sandwiches, cheeses galore!! YUM YUM!!

And then come the sweets!!

We got to see a bit of the fireworks show as we were walking towards the exit. It was a great display with other effects as well!

All in all we had a wonderful time! My MIL said “DELIGHTFUL” which was exactly my goal for her!!

Mission accomplished!! For us it was just what the title of this post says!! Everything except the wine!!

Now for the “tea goodies”!!!

Just leave a comment telling me if you have been to Disney World or not, and if you have what your favorite thing to do there is!!

You will then be entered in the drawing! I will announce the winner on Friday!!

Happy Birthday to your Mother-in-law. She looks so young!! I have never been to Disney World but if I ever get to pleasure you can bet the first place I will head is to the Twinnings Tea Shoppe!! I LOVE English Tea!!! What a fun day you had!! Just looking at those sweets may have broken my diet!! Yum!!

Have a Wonderful day!!

Love and Hugs,Christine

P.S. If we ever do get the chance to go to Disney World I would make one of my first stops to meet you in person!! Wouldn't that be just so fun - better than DW!!!

Hi Becky! Oh my goodness..you take SUCH beautiful photos. I loved them. You must have a really nice camera too. They are just so clear and gorgeous. I think I liked the first one the best (though it was a tough pick). The little duck is just irresistable as you said. This looked like such a fun day, and going with just adults could be a great adventure sometime I am thinking. So many things to look at that just doesn't appeal to kids. I have never been to Disney World, though of course living in CA I have been to Disneyland more times than I can count. The sky does look really blue in your pics though. And Cinderella's castle looks MUCH better there for some reason. Soo pretty. I'm glad your MIL had a good day, and you too of course. Blessings to you, Debbie

Hi sweetie, Loved all the pic's! We loved Disneyworld so much more than Disneyland, mainly because it is so much bigger! Also we loved Epcot because we were homeschooling and there was so much to learn. Also liked the monorail-made it so easy to get back and forth. What a lovely daughter Sam is and your MIL looks incredibly young and vibrant.Hugs to you-enjoy the sunshine!

I have been to 39 states but Florida is not one of them. So, I have not been to Disney World but I have been to Disneyland. I know it is smaller and not as cool but we do have some of the same things. I have always enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean or 'Carrots and the Can of Beans' as my kids use to call it.

It looks like you had a wonderful time. I am glad your MIL was delighted. We are taking mine to Italy...I hope she will be delighted. We are visiting the town where she was born 83 years ago on Nov 1st. She has never been back. Should be a nice time for her!

Happy belated birthday to your MIL Becky! I'm sure she had the greatest of time with you all doing so many things! And all those sweets, I bet I put up some kilos just watching at your photos.....About Disney World, I've been twice to Disneyland Paris, and I enjoyed both visits so very much! My daughter favorite was It's a Small World too, mine was Alice in Wonderland. And those sweetened popcorns....awwww... I still dream about them at night! I'm just curious about what you're giving away tough.........Gracie at http://mylittleplace.blog.com

Becky, we just got back from Disney World on Friday! We took a big family vacation (twelve of us), and grandkids along!I'd love to do a trip sometime with just Ray & myself, but with the little ones now that would seem almost mean!

Right now I'd have to say my favorite thing is seeing the grandkids have a blast there! They really did enjoy it so much!As for myself, I actually do enjoy a lot of the rides (Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, also that rapids ride in Animal Kingdom), but my most favorite is Epcot (especially Italy, France, and Morocco)!Great post!And Happy Birthday to your mother-in-law!So glad you all had a great time!Love to you, Eileen

Hi Becky,It looks like you had so much fun! We're planning on going the day after Christmas. I have always like the Pirates ride and the sky ride. We love all things Disney! My youngest son did his year-long senior project on glass blowing in Washington state. He was able to take some lessons. Very interesting stuff!Valerie

Hi Becky,What a great day it looks like you all had, loved all of your pictures, please wish your dear mother-in law a very happy birthday from me, and Sam is so beautiful, Becky, she looks just like you.I have been to Disney World ,and just enjoyed it so much. I think my favorite place is the Magic Kingdom, but all of them are wonderful. Thank you for sharing this special day.Oh! Love the last statement, and I will try my best.Hugs, SueSue

When we took a family vacation (with 6 kids!:) to Florida back in 1994, we picked Universal Studios instead of Disney. The ages of our crew had alot to do with that. Their ages were 18 down to 4! So the older boys were not having a Mickey Mouse vacation:)

So if I ever make it down to Florida again- I'll be looking you up Becky to go to Disney World with me:) Looks like a blast for your MIL's bday!!

OH BECKY.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE DISNEY WORLD!!!! WE WENT THERE IN 2000 AND AGAIN IN 2007 FOR NOELLE'S SENIOR TRIP. I TOLD MY FAMILY I'D LIKE TO LIVE THERE...MY MOTHER SAID I COULD GET A JOB THERE, AND I SAID, 'NO, DONT' WANT TO WORK THERE, JUST WANT TO PLAY!!!! ' MY FAVORITE RIDE THERE WAS 'SOARIN'. BUT, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I DISLIKE, EXCEPT MAYBE THE ABOM. SNOWMAN AT ANIMAL KINGDOM. I ENJOYED EPCOT MORE THE LAST TIME THAN I DID THE FIRST TIME. THE KIDS WERE OLDER AND WE WEREN'T TRYING TO GET EVERY CHARACTERS AUTOGRAPH! HA. DID YOU BUY ANY OF MICKEY'S COFFEE???? OH MY SOUL...IT WAS SOOO DELISH. I WISH I HAD OF BOUGHT A BUNCH OF THAT STUFF...SO GOOD. IT CAME IN A CUTE MICKY CAN THAT I SAVED. YOU ARE SO SWEET TO TAKE YOUR MOTHER IN LAW OUT FOR SUCH A SPECIAL DAY.

Hi Becky, What fun! Happy Birthday to your Mother n Law! Your photo's are great. How did you get them to be so big. I love the size. I think I could of eaten my way through Disney that day, everything looks so good. I love the glass blowing, isn't the craft amazing!. Gary and I went to the Epcot Center once, but oh my we hit one of the hottest days ever! and I thought I was going to die, LOL. I'm just a whimp with heat. I'am so glad you ladies had such a wonderful day of birthday celebration. Big hugs, Elizabeth

Becky, I adore your post today and I am wondering what day is your MIL's birthday. Mine is the 20th and I too turned 70. We have something in common. she is very pretty and looks like she was having a wonderful time with you and your beautiful daughter.

Yes, I have seen everything in Disney dozens of times. We lived in Kissimmee for 13 years and our son-in-law works there. We had a free ride to Disney for all the years we lived there. Oh such joy and wonderful times with our grand children is the most fun memories one can have. I loved the fast rides the most. Space mountain in the dark. Wow. Every photo you shared is so familiar to me. I loved sharing your good time.

How fun to go to Disney World. I have never been but I have been to Disneyland in Anaheim. It has been about 12 years ago. I can't wait until Mary is older and we can go see it. My hubby loves Napoleons too! Lovely pictures! My favorite ride is "It's a Small World". Have a blessed day dear friend! Hugs, Elena

what a fun birthday celebration! Happy birthday to your mother in law. I've only been to Disneyworld once when I was a freshman in high school. I don't remember much about it but I do remember having a lot of fun. And we did go to a Luau at the Polynesian for dinner one night and my sister who was 8 years younger than me passed out at the table she was so tired. Right into the plate of food, lol. It was pretty dark- candle lit tables and the occasional fire breathing acts! LOL.

Beautiful pictures!! I love that hotel in the background as well. Would love to spend a day there! Seems like you had a wonderful celebration!! Hope all is well with you! I sent you an email today...THANK YOU!!!!! You are the best!!!

Forgot to tell you if I've been to Disney World and the answer is NO! I've actually been to Disney Land in California when I was 18. I loved it, but it was so hot. We went as a family to California that year as my dad was a pastor of a church and the General Council of our assembly was out in California that year. We had a lot of fun hanging out with some friends and I really loved "It's a small world." It was relaxing, a little annoying with the song, but sweet. Great memories.

So glad for your fun Disney day with your MIL. We have been to Disney World and honestly, it was such a neat time that I can't choose my favorite thing.

The Grand Floridian Hotel exterior is modeled after the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego which we visited several years back. The "Del" as it's called is a grand old hotel. We didn't stay overnight, but enjoyed a lovely oceanfront lunch and tour of the hotel lobby and grounds.

Happy Birthday Mil!!!Loved your pictures Becky! Looks like yall had a wonderful time! We've never been to Disney and it looks incredible! I just love that castle!!!

Watching glass artists intrigues me so much! It's just amazing isn't it?!!!The food... ohmigosh... nearly fainted when I saw those FRESH chocolate eclairs! The icing hadn't even set yet they were so fresh! lolBlessings sweet sister!Have a great weekend!Holykisses xoxo

Oh my goodness. That was a fabulous photo tour...Sadly, I've never been to DisneyWorld....I'd love to someday. I've actually only even been to Disneyland once and that was just a few years ago. I loved the hotel too. What a fabulous place to stay. Maybe one of these days. :-)

Hi Becky, it's me Claudie, the one that might go and stay in Jeanne's little guest house. I read your comment on her cabin post.I've never met you, so here I am, hello from Canada.I have been to DisneyWorld and Disneyland. Disneyworld more times than I can count. My sister used to live in Fla. hence the visits with our 3 kids, now adults. I'm actually going to try and book a room in the castle for our 25th wedding Anniversary in 3 years. I heard you have to book early lolLove your pics and I have always tried to... how did you say it? stay one step ahead of the devil? I think that's what you said. Don't quote me lolLove Claudiexoxooops I see you don't have "comment as" with NAME/URL options... darnIf you care to change this just do this:1. Go to: Settings / Comments

Hi! I'm a follower of Christ, a wife, a mom to 4, and Nana to 2. I love God, life, and people! I adore all types of vintage delights...they each have a story to tell. Just as God gives those who receive Him new life, I love treasuring the old and giving it new life and purpose. I'm so glad you popped in! Peek around a bit and let me know what you're thinking!!